Apparatus for weighing and packaging materials



A ril 7, 1953 H. e. ALLEN ETAL APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING AND PACKAGING MATERIALS Filed Dec. 22, 1948 I 5 Sheets-Sheet l 9N m3 J Wa k WNR

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Gt?orne gs April 7, 1953 H. a. ALLEN ETAL APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING AND PACKAGING MATERIALS Filed Dec. 22, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAIIJ- 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 A 7, 1953 H. G. ALLEN ETAL APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING AND PACKAGING MATERIALS Filed Dec. 22, 194.8

H. c. ALL EN EIAL APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING AND PACKAGING MATERIALS Filed Dec. 22, 1948 April 7, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 H. a. ALLEN' ETAL APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING AND PACKAEING MATERIALS Filed Dec. 22, 1948 April 7, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 7, 1953 APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING AND PACKAGING MATERIALS Howard G. Allen, Niagara Falls, and Harry A. Smith, Gowamla, N. 1.; said Allen assignor to said Smith Application December 22, 1948, Serial No. 66,602

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in machines for filling bags or other containers with articles or materials in such a manner that all of the filled containers will be of approximately the same weight.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a machine of this type in which a preliminary quantity of material less than the final weight desired is placed into a container and in which small quantities of the material are then supplied to the container until the same reaches the desired weight. A further object is to provide a machine of this type including an intermittently movable member having a station at which the containers are attached to the movable member, another station at which a measured volume of material is discharged into the containers, and another station at which smaller quantities of the material are gradually added to the container until the same has the required weight. Another object is to provide a machine of this type in which the containers after having received the preliminary charge of material are operatively connected one at a time with a scale while receiving the smaller quantity of material. A further object is to provide a machine of this type in which the intermittent rotation of a turret is controlled by a scale which interrupts the final feed of material to the container when the same has attained the required weight. A further object is to provide container holding supports which are moved successively to and cooperate with a scale while receiving a final weight of material, A further object is to provide an improved mechanism for removing buckets containing measured quantities of material from a side of the supply bin in such a manner that damage to the material is avoided. Another object is to provide a machine in which the containers in travelling through the machine are partly supported by a track having a portion thereof cut away and having a part connected with the scale arranged at the cut away portion and on which the containers are partly supported for determinin the weights of the containers during the final supply of material thereto. It is also an object of this invention to provide mechanism of improved construction for controlling the feed of material to the containers while supported on the scale. A further object is to provide scale controlled mechanism for advancing the containers through the machine.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention and the novel features will the lower portion of the machine approximately on line 3-3, Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation thereof, on line 44, Fig, 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional plan view thereof, on line 55, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevation thereof approximately on line 6-45, Fig. 1, and showin the mechanism for supplying the final amount of material to the container while supported on the scale.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view thereof, partly in section on line 'il, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation thereof, on line 88, Fig. 6, showing a funnel or chute through which the material is supplied to the containers.

Fig. 9 is an elevation, partly in section, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8, the section being taken on line 99, Fig, 1.

Figs. 10 and 11 are fragmentary sectional plan views on lines 3-48 and |lll respectively, Fig. 6.

Fig. 12 is a view, partly in section, taken along line l2l2, Fig. 2.

The machine is shown in the accompanying drawings by way of example as applied for bagging potatoes, but it will be understood that the machine may be used for placing any other articles or materials into containers of any suitable or desired type.

The particular machine shown in the drawing includes a base l5 which is preferably hollow to house a part of the mechanism, the remainder of the mechanism may be mounted above the base in any suitable or desired manner, and inthe construction shown, the base is provided with an upwardly extending stationary column or shaft 16, an upwardly extending tubular column or standard I? and an arm I8 which also extends upwardly to support the bulk dispensing mechanism. The arm l8 and the column Il may, if desired, be connected by means of a web l9. Other means for supporting parts of the machine above the base may be provided, if desired.

The bags or other containers 20 to be filled may be mounted on any suitable or desired carriers therefor, which are moved intermittently to present the containers at the various stations of the machine. In the construction shown for this purpose, the carriers are mounted on a turret or rotary table 22 secured on a tube or hollow shaft 24 which is mounted to rotate about the stationary upright column l6 and which-may be turned intermittently by means of suitable mechanism arranged within the hollow base 15 and which will be hereinafter described. The turret shown in the particular construction illustrated is provided with five container carriers or supporting devices, each of which includes an upwardly'and outwardly flaring chute or funnel 25 formed to receive the material and which converges downwardly and terminates in a substantially cylindrical portion 25a which extends into the container while supported on its carrier, to discharge the material into the container. The table or turret has fiveupwardlyand outwardly extending pairs of arms 26 secured thereto, on which the carriers or supports for the containers are pivotally mounted. Eachcontainer carrier or support includes a-cross member 28 on one side of which the funnel 25 and the containers are supported in any suitable manner. In the-construction shown, the chute or funnel 25 may be rigidly secured to the cross member 28 in any suitable manner, for example, by means of an arm or plate 28a rigidly secured or welded to the funnel 25 andto the cross member ZS-as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9. When-the-containers are in the form of bags, they may, for example, be supported from the carrier as follows: The cross member is provided with outwardly extending arms 29 on which suitable jaws or clamping members are arranged for supporting the containers in correct relation to the lower part 250. of a funnel or chute 25. The cross member 28 also has an inwardly extending arm 39 rigidly secured thereto intermediate of the ends of the cross member 28, see particularly Figs. 2, 6, 8 and .9. The container supporting member may be pivotally'mounted on the brackets 26 in any suitable or desired manner, and in the construction illustrated, pivot pins M are suitably secured on the outer ends of arms 25 and have pointed ends extending into holes in the arms .29 so that the container carrier support may pivot on the arms 26. Pivots of any other suitable or desired type maybe employed, if desired. The inwardly extending arm 30 is provided at the outer end thereof with a roller 32.

Above the table 22 thereis provided a stationary disk or support 34, Figs. 2 and 6, which is rigidly secured to the upper .end of the stationary post or column I6, and annular tracks and 35 are mounted one above the other on the stationary support 34. The wheel or roller 32 of the container carrier, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 9, is arranged between these two tracks 35 and 36 so that the carrier will be held against swinging about the pivots 3! in either direction. Normally the weight of the funnel and the container tends to swing the carrier about its pivot pins 3| so that the roller 32 bears against the upper track 36.

The lower portions 251! of the funnels are of somewhat smaller circumference than the periphery of the containers so that the upper portions of the containers may be readily slid about the lower or discharge portions 25a of the funnels. When bags are being filled, portions of the bags at opposite sides'of the portions 25a of the funnel members are gathered together to form folds 40,

plates d2 secured to opposite sides of the outwardly extending arm 29. 46 represents a movable jaw .arranged to move toward and from the fixed jaw ti and mounted on a lever comprising a pair of plates pivoted at at on the outer end of the outwardly extending arm 29.

The two levers 45 are pivotally connected at 's? to the outer ends of a yoke member 58, the intermediate portion of which is provided with an aperture through which a bolt 49 extends in such manner as to slide lengthwise through the aperture. The inner end ofthe bolt Q9 is pivoted at 50 between a .pairof plates. 5 which .in turn are pivoted on a bracket inthe form of a pair of plates 52 secured to oppositesides of =the arm 3i! of the container carrier. The bolt 49 has-a nut-or other shouldered portion 5a thereon and a spring 55 is interposedbetween the nut 54 and the yoke member 48. There is also securedto the pair of plates 52 a studorbearing pin 5lon which a roller .58 is rotatably mounted. This roller is formed to engage with a pair .of Ifixed cams '53 and 65, see particularly Fig. .1. These cams may besupported inany suitable or desired manner, for example, by means of arms '6'! extending upwardly from the fixed disk "35.

It will be obvious from the foregoing description, that the yoke member 48 and the pair of plates 54 constitute a toggle mechanism by means of which the movable jaw may be actuated. .In Fig. 9, the jaws are shown in open .or lbagreleasing position, having been moved into that position by means of the cam .59 engaging the roller 58. When, however, the roller 58 engages the outwardly extending portion of the cam v60, the roller 58 Will'be moved into the opposite direction into the position shown in Fig. 6 in which the toggle members have moved through and beyond their dead centerposition so that the yoke member 48 of the toggle mechanism rests against the cross member 28 of the container carrier. The spring 55 serves to hold the movable jaws in their position adjacent to the fixed jaws for gripping a bag or other container and enables the jaws to cooperate with containers or folds 4.0 of diiferent thicknesses.

vMeans are also provided for temporarily holding a container in correct relation to a carrier and a funnel before the same is firmlygripped by the jaws, and for this purpose, the lever formed by the pair of plates 35 is provided with a spring '62 which normally bears against the fixed jaw 41!. Consequently, while the movable jaw 4 is in open position as shown in Fig. 9, an empty container or bag may be applied to the part 25a of the funnel member and'the opposite sides thereof forming the folds t0 maybe inserted between the fixed "jaw 4| and the spring 62. In order that the spring may not interfere with the closing of the jaws, the movable jaw member M is provided with a groove or recess 63 into which the spring 62 may enter when the movable jaw is in gripping position, see Fig. 11.

It will be obvious from Fig. 1 that when any container carrier is at station A, an operator may insert a bag about the lower portion of the funnel member and place the sides thereof between the stationary jaw 4| and the spring 62, and when the turret has rotated a container carrier to station E, the cam 60 has caused the movable jaw member to grip the gathered portions 49 of the bag, so that the bag is ready to be moved to the gross filling station 0. By means of this construction, the operator need not hold the container until it is gripped between the jaws, and the danger of having the operators fingers pinched between the jaws is eliminated.

When the machine is used for filling flexible containers, such as bags, it may be desirable to provide means for preventing the swinging of the bags during the intermittent movement of the turret of the machine and for this purpose, the rotatable tube 24 may be provided with a plurality of outwardly extending arms 55 rigidly secured thereto and to the outer ends of which are secured suitable bag engaging members 66 which may, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, be of partly cylindrical form to extend partly about a bag supported on the turret 22.

When the containers are advanced to station C, Fig. l, by the intermittent advance of the container carriers, a quantity of material measured by volume is deposited in the containers. The volume deposited the container is such that not more, and preferably less, than the required weight of material is supplied to a container at station C. Any suitable means may be provided for supplying this volume of material to a container, and in the construction shown for purpose, a bin for the material is provided which has an arcuate inclined wall t9 mounted on the post or column i8, 2 and 12, an inwardly or substantially radial wall 70, and a movable circular inclined bottom or side II to the outer face of which a plurality of buckets or volume measuring containers are secured to receive material through openings l2 which are in registration with the upper open ends of buckets. These buckets are preferably made adjustable as to size and each includes a cylindrical portion '13 secured to the movable bottom or side H about an opening 12 therein, and telescoping portion 14 which may be held in adjusted position with relation to the part 73 of the bucket by any suitable means, such as a bolt 15, Fig. 2, secured to the part 13 and passing through a slot it of the telescoping portion M of a bucket.

The inclined rotatable bottom or side ii may be supported in its operative position in any suitable or desired manner. In the construction shown, the arm 18, which extends upwardly from the base is formed so as to extend through or about the portion of the fixed side 59 of the bin, and then over the upper portion of the bin to support a clamp 18 to which the upper end of a stationary post or shaft 19 is secured, and the upwardly extending standard I? is also provided with a laterally extending arm 0, to the end of which the lower end of the post it is clamped. A tubular member or hollow drive shaft 81 is rotatable about the fixed post 19 and the bottom or side H is suitably secured to the upper end of this hollow shaft Bl. The lower end of the hollow shaft 8| is secured to a bevel gear 82 which meshes with another bevel gear 83 secured to an upright shaft 84 journalled to rotate within the hollow cylindrical or tubular standard I1.

Each of the Volume measuring buckets is provided with a bottom 86 which is closed during that part of the revolution of the bottom or side H during which the bucket is located in a lower 6 position to receive material from the bin, so that the material will fill the buckets. As the disk is rotated further, the bucket will move upwardly into positions above the bin, whereupon a portion of the material in the upper portion of the bucket will be discharged back into the bin. In this manner, the material which is handled will not be damaged during the movement of the buckets from material receiving positions below the bin into positions above the bin, so that when the machine is used for bagging potatoes, oranges, apples, or other articles, none of the articles will be damaged during the operations of filling and removing excess material from the buckets. When the bucket is out of contact with the material in the bin, it will, of course, not be entirely filled, but the size or depth of the buckets may be readily regulated by adjusting the telescoping part I4 thereof relatively to the part 13, so that the buckets will hold slightly less material than finally desired in the containers 2|.

Means are provided for automatically opening and closing the bottoms 86 of the buckets, so that the contents of the buckets will be discharged into the containers when the buckets are in their upper positions. In the particular construction shown for this purpose, see particularly Figs. 1 and 2, the bottom of each bucket is secured to and forms a part of a lever comprising a pair of plates 81 pivoted at 88 on the part ht of the bucket. At the outer ends of these plates, weights 89 are provided and the plates 8? constituting the lever also have a pivotal connection at with a latch member 92 having a notch. 93 in the outer end thereof. The outer end of this latch member is confined between a pair of posts 95. extending outwardly from a strap 35 secured to the part 74 of the bucket. This strap also is provided with ears or lugs for the pivot 38. A pin 96 connects the two posts 9d and also limits the movement of the latch 92. When the bottom of the bucket is in closed position as shown in the lower bucket illustrated in Fig. 2, the notch 93 in the latch member 92 will engage the pin 96, being urged into this engaging position by a spring 9! so that the bottom of the bucket will be held in closed position. When the bottom of the bucket is open as shown in the upper bucket in Fig. 2, the latch 92 is pressed against the action of the spring 91 so that the notched portion 93 moves out of engagement with the pin 96, whereupon the notch portion of the latch may move beyond the pin 96 and thus permit the bottom 86 to be opened.

The bottom or side i! which constitutes a side wall of the bin is moved in synchronism with the turret 22, as will be hereinafter explained, and consequently, when an empty container moves into position C indicated in Fig. 1, means are provided for releasing the latch 92 and thus permitting the contents of the bucket to discharge into the container. Any suitable means for releasing the latch may be provided, and in the construction illustrated by way of example, a cam 59 is provided for this purpose, see also Fig. 12, which is arranged to engage the latch to mov the same out of its holding position in which the bucket is closed. This cam 99 may be supported in any suitable manner, and in the construction illustrated, the standard [8 is provideo. with an arm I00 on which the cam is mounted. In order to facilitate the action of the cam on the latch, the latch preferably has an anti-friction roller iill mounted thereon which may engage the cam to press the latch toward thebucket, and thus release the bottom. of'thebucket: When the filled-- bucket is in the upper position shown inFig. 2., the weight of the contents of the bucketW-ill cause the bottom 85 to mo've into openposition, thus dropping the material on a chute I'IlZ which directs the same into the funnel 25' to-which a bag'or'other'containei' is attached. lf'the'p'artl l of the bucket isadjusted' to vary'the capacity of the same, all of" the actuating'niechanismfor the bottom 86 will be adjusted with the par-t lt. of the bucket.

For ordinary adjustments'the cam E8 is" of sum.

cient' width to remain in contact with the roller. WI. lfl is made, the'arm of the cam 9i! may be removed from the supporting arm Iflil and. re-

placedwith a'cam having alonger or. shorter? arm. After the contents of'the upper bucket.

have. been discharged and this bucket moves into the next position, the latchmoves out of engagementwith the cam- Q9; whereupon theweight 89 will cause. the bottom to to swing into closing position, and the spring 31 willrestore the latch into the locking position in which the pin 95 engagesin the notch in the end of the. latchstation; D, in which; a. small amount. of. material.

is gradually added. to the container until the weight of thexsam'e is up: to. that desired. For this purpose, there is provided on the stationary diskor supporting member 3 a weighing scale of any suitable or desired type, that shown including'a-base I95 secured to the disk 34, and a beamhaving a' platform or'pan IE5 at one end thereof on which weights we may be placed, and. having a platform or pan. Hill at the other end to whichthe-weight of the container and its contents r a proportional part of such weight may be transmitted by the container carrier. The scale beam preferably also. has apointer or arm I iiilwhich swingswiththe beam.

The weight of the. container orv a proportional part thereof may be transmitted in any suitable manner to, the. scale pan Ill-I when the container carrier arrives at station D. tion. shown by way of example, the lower stationary track ring 35 has a suitable post or standard IIll secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom and on the-upper end of this post, a lever orbeam III is pivotally mounted. It will be noted inreferring to Fig. 1 that the upper ring or track 36 has a gap therein at H2 and the lever or beam I II has one end I It thereof formed to bridge the gap in such a manner that when a container reaches station D, the roller 32 of the container carrier willbear against the undersurface of the part I! of the beam or lever III. The other end of this beam or lever bears against the scale platform I81, being for this purpose provided with an adjustable screw II5,.the lower end of which bears on the scale base I04. This screw extends through a threaded holein the beam HI and is adjustable so that theparts will bear the correct relation to each other; Consequently, the weight of the container through the pivotedcontainer carrier and If a greater adjustment of the bucket part In the. construc' the roller 32' thereof, and through thebeam or lever III- exerts a downwardly directed forceon the scale pan I81.

Means are provided for supplying additional material to the container at station D, if the weight of the containerandcontents is less than that desired. The action of this additional feed mechanism is controlled by the scale sov that if the Weightof the container and its contents is equal to or more than that required, no additionalmaterial will be fed to the container, but

if the weight of thecontainer andv contentsisiless than that desired, the secondary feed mechanism is actuated. This secondary feed mocha: nism may be of any suitable or desired construction, and as illustrated. by way of example, this mechanism includes aconveyor chain I26 guided over a sprocket wheel I2'I mountediin such relation to the funnel 25' when positioned at station D so that material will drop from the upper end of the conveyor chain I20. into the funnel 25. If the secondary feed device-is. used for supplying potatoes, apples, oranges or. similar articles to the containers, the sprocket chain may be provided With pockets each of such size as to receive onepotato or other article, the pockets being.

construction shown for. this purpose, seeparticu larly Figs. 1 and 6, the sprocket wheel. I 2I is driven by means of a shaft I25, one end: of which is journalled in a bearing, 52? and which has the. sprocket wheel I2I keyed or otherwise secured thereto. I28, Fig. 1, represents aworm gear rotatably mounted on the shaft I25 and. driven by means of a worm I29'secured on: a shaft I30, which is the main drive shaft of the machine. This shaft also has a pulley I3.I mounted thereon driven by means of a belt I32 which is driven from a pulley I 33 mounted. on an upright shaft I34 of a motor I35 or of a speed reducing gearing driven by the motor. The worm gear I28 may rotate relatively to the shaft I25 and power may be transmitted from the worm gear to the shaft I25. through the medium of a pair of friction drive members or'disks I36 and I37, both of which are keyed, splined or" otherwise secured to the shaft I25 to rotate therewith. A coil spring I38 extends about this shaft and bears at one end against the friction disk I31 and the pressure of the spring may be varied by means of nuts I49 engaging the threaded end II of the shaft I25. Consequently, it will be obvious that the shaft I25 is rotated from the worm gear 128 through the friction disks I35'and I37.

The shaft I25 which actuates the conveyor I26 is rotated only when additional material-is. to be supplied to a container at stationD; andconsequently, means are provided for preventing; ro tation of the shaft l25 except when such addi tional material is required. For this purpose, a

wardly. This lever is pivoted at I49 on a stationary part I50 of the frame of the machine and a spring II normally urges this lever into a position in which the dog I engages a tooth of the ratchet wheel I44, to stop rotation of the shaft I25 and to stop the feed of material to a container at station D.

The arm I4'i of the bell crank lever may be engaged by means of a, latch I53 pivoted at I54 on the stationary part I of the frame of the machine and spring I55 urges the latch into po sition to engage the end of the arm I4! of the three-armed lever, to hold this lever in a position in which the dog I45 is out of engagement with the ratchet wheel I44, thus permitting the shaft I25 to rotate to actuate the secondary feed. The latch I53 is connected by means of a link to a core I51 of a solenoid or electromagnet I58 which is connected by suitable conductors to a switch or contact device I69 by means of which the circuit through the solenoid or magnet I58 may be closed or broken. The circuit closing de vice may be of any desired construction, and as shown for this purpose, a lever I6I pivoted at I62 is provided, one arm of which is adapted to be engaged by the pointer or arm I98 of the scale when the same is swung by the beam of the scale into a position in which the container has acquired the desired weight. When the pointer I99 swings the lever IBI about its pivot to close the circuit to the magnet or solenoid to energize the same, the latch I 53 will be drawn out of engagement with the arm I47 and thus permit the dog I45 to be swung into engagement with the ratchet wheel I44 by means of the spring I5I so that the feed of additional material to the container is interrupted. The filling of a container having been completed, the turret is given another partial rotation so that the container supporting member withv the correctly filled container thereon is moved from station D to station E from where it may be discharged from the machine. Just before the container arrives at station E the cam 59 acting on the roler 58 releases the movable gripping jaws, and thus lets the container drop. The container may be removed from th machine in any suitable manner. for example, by means of a conveyor belt I I55 or other suitable means.

Means are also provided for moving the turret 32 and the bucket carrying bottom or side II immediately after a container in station D has been filled with the reduired weight. The power for actuating the movable parts of the machine is derived from the shaft I39. which, as shown in Fig. 4, extends into the hollow base I5 of the machine and is suitably .iournalled in the base in bearings I61 and I99. This shaft has a flanged collar or sleeve I19 rigidly secured thereto which is provided with a nlurality of osts or studs Ill. The shaft I39 also has a sleeve I72 extending about a portion thereof and provided at the upper end thereof with a radially extending flange I13. As clearly shown in Fig. 5, a dog or latch I75 is pivoted at I19 on the flange I13 and has an outward y extending arm or lug Ill. The dog or latch I15 is normally urged to swing about its pivot into en agement with one of the studs or projections III on the flange or disk of the sleeve I19, for example, by means of a coil spring I19. Consequently, when the dog or latch I15 is in engagement with one of the studs Ill. rotation of the shaft I39 will be transmitted to the sleeve I12.

The sleeve I12 has a sprocket wheel I89 fixed 10 thereon which cooperates with a sprocket chain I8I. The sprocket chain also engages a sprocket wheel or gear I83 which is secured to and rotates the shaft 84 for driving the bucket carrying bottom or side 'II through the medium of the bevel gears 93 and 82.

Simultaneously with the driving of the bucket carrying bottom or side II, the turret 22 is also turned through a part of a revolution and this may be accomplished in any suitable or desired manner. In the particular construction illustrated by way of example, the sleeve I12 is provided at the lower portion thereof with a cam I85 which is formed to engage a bar I86 pivoted on a stud or post I8'I firmly secured on the base I 5. This rod or bar I89 is preferably provided with an anti-friction wheel or roller I88 which rides on the surface of the cam I 85' and a spring I89 is provided which urges the rod or bar I86 in a direction to cause the wheel I38 to engage the cam I85. The free end of the bar'or rod I86 is pivotally connected with one end of a link 199. The other end of this link is connected with an arm or segment I 9| which is rigidly secured on a portion of the hollow shaft or tube 24 on the portion thereof within the hollow base I5. This hollow shaft has a disk I92 secured thereto which has a plurality of studs I93 extending through the disk and beyond the upper and lower faces thereof. The arm or segmental member I9I has a dog or latch I94 pivoted thereon at I95, see particularly Fig. 3. One end of this latch is formed to engage the portions of the studs I93 which extend below the disk I92. A spring I99 connected with the latch urges the same against the stop I97, in which position the latch may engage any of the studs I93 to turn the disk I92 and thus advance the turret 22 through a part of a revolution when the cam I85 moves the bar or rod I86 to the right in Fig. 3. When the rod or bar I96 is moved back into the position shown in Fig. 3 by the spring I89, the dog or latch I94 will move into engagement with another stud I93 in position to advance the turret through another part of the revolution.

In order to prevent the turret, due to momentum, from moving beyond the position to which it is advanced by the dog I94 and also to hold the turret against rotation when material is being fed to the containers. a brake or friction device I99 is provided within the base which is pressed by a spring 299 into engagement with the periphery of the disk I92. Any other means for holding the turret against movement except when actuated by the dog I94 may be provided.

Means are also provided for automatically starting the movement of the parts of the mechanism when the container at station D has acquired the desired weight, and when the scale through its indicator I98 has caused the dog I53 to release the three-armed lever and thus cause the dog I45 to engage the ratchet wheel I44 and stop the secondary feed of material to the container. When this occurs, the arm I48 of the three-armed lever, under the action of the spring I5I, engages an arm 295 secured on a shaft or rod 299, see Figs. 8, 4, 6 and 7. The lower end of the shaft or rod 296 within the hollow base I5 is provided with another arm 29'! biased by the spring 297. When the arm I48 of the threearmed lever engages the upper arm 295 of the shaft 296, it swings the lower arm 29? out of the position shown in Fig. 5, and thus releases the dog I15 and permits the same to engage a stud ill of the flange or disk of the collar or sleeve 'aee'aose illlg and thus. causes the sleeve i72 to rotate with the shaft ltd-, tldnsv turning the bucket carrying bottom or side H through the medium of the sprocket-chainl-8'i. and turning the turret 22 through the medium of the cam its.

In order to stop the rotation of the bucket carrying bottom or side it and the turret 22 after: they have advanced "through the required fraction ofa revolution, a second upright rod or shaft flfl, Figsz'3 and 4, is provided which has ansarm 2H thereon which extends into the path of movement of the upper portions of the studs 1933 on the disk-I92. This'arm 2! I is normally held by a spring 212 against a fixed stop 2E3 but whensiengaged by"a..stud E93 during apart of tharevoluticn'ofthe disk I92, the arm it! will bafswung from the full line position shown in Flgd b into: the broken-line position, thus causing *aaslig-ht turning. movement :of the upright rod-or shaft 219.. This. rod or shaft Zi'il provided at. the upper; end thereof with a laterally extending arm" hi5 which extends into close proximityto'ithe. arm? I48. of ithe..'three-armed leverz'. Consequently, when the arm :2 55 engages the arm. M8, itLTSWlngS" the three-arme'd letter about its pivot into a position in' which the. dog M5 is" moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 14-4 and :in'whichthearm E4? is swung downwardly to: be engaged. by the" dog i553; This starts the movementroi the conveyor: of the secondary feed mechanism so that material will be-fed in small. increments to the container which has: just. beenplacedsintol position at station D, and. this secondary feed will'becontinued until the scale actuatessthe circuit closing'memberr let to energize the solenoiditt to again disengage the'arm': Ml: oft-the three-armed lever and thus stop-thesecondary feedand start the next advancemovementof-theturret 25 and: the bucket carrying. bottom. or side 1 I.

The machine: described has the: advantage that the containers; are filled accurately according'to weight and. the; action. of the. machine-is: rapid because .of;.-the.-factthat. .most'of the filling. is accomplished in. the preliminary operation. .in whichmaterial in-bul-k is; preliminarily fedto the containera'so that. only small quantities of. additionalcmaterial need be fed thereto hymeans of the secondary feed mechanism;

'Itwill-be understood that. various changes in the; details;.materials, andrarrangem'ents of parts which-have beenherein described and illustrated inr'crden to: explain the nature of. the invention, may be. made: byithose; skilled in the 'art' within the principle and scope of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A'container filling machine including a plurality of carriers having means for supporting containers thereon, means for advancing said carriers intermittently to different stations of said machine, said carriers being pivotally mounted intermediate of the ends thereof on said advancing means, container supporting *rneans at one end of each of said carriers at one side of the pivotal mounting thereof, a track. with which the other ends of said carriers engage to hold said carriers-against swinging about their pivotal mountings due to the weight of said containers, mechanism at one of said stations for depositing in a container at said station a volume ofmateria-l not exceeding the weight ultimately desired, said track terminating in advance of a succeeding feeding station, a weighing scale having a part to which the weight to be determined is applied, a lever pivoted intermediateoi it'sends at said succeeding station having ione 'end engaging said scalepart' and having the other end arranged atthe termination ofsaid' trackin posirtionito be. engaged by a carrier. when at said succeeding station, means for supplying additional material in small increments'td azccntainer at said succeeding 'stationwhile said carrier is operatively associated with saidiscalepart through said lever,"and means: actuated by said scale to stop the feed of additional materialxto -a container when the container: at said succeeding station attains the weight desired.

2. 'A containerfilling' machine including. a plurality of carriers havingsmea'ns: for supporting containers thereon, a turretv oni'which said car.- riersi are pivotally mounted intermediate? ofthe ends. thereof; one. end of each carrier extending outwardly beyondsaid turret and being provided with means for supporting a container thereon, the other ends of said carriers extending inwardly toward the. axis of revolution of said turret; a substantially annular track'with which said other endsor. said carriers engage to .holdfsaid carriers againstswinging on their pivots due toithe weight of said containers, mechanism at one of said-stations for depositing in a container at'said station a volume of material not exceeding in weight that ultimately desired, said track terminating adjacent to the next succeeding station, aiweighing scale fixedly mounted" our-said. machine and having a part to which the weight to be determined is applied, a lever. pivoted intermediatee'f. its ends and having "one end thereof in engagementwith said part of said scale and having the otherzend thereof extending into a positionin alinement with theend of'said track for engagementwith said other ends: of said carriers: when. moved into said;v succeedingv station; saidz'lever :transmittmg to said scale" part a proportional ip'artoi the weight of the container-at said succeedingstation, meansior supplying additional material in small increments to. said container: when. at sai'd succeeding station,,.means. actuated by said-scale whenthe container at. said stationl'attainsithe weight desired to stop the ieed ofadditional material to said container, and mechanism actus ated by'the movement ofisaidscale inte position to stop said additional feed, :for moving said-turret to advance said containers from one station to another.

3. A bag filling machine including: a plurality of carriers, means. for releasably attaching a bag to each one of sa-id1carriers, mechanism for in.- termittently advancing; said carriers from :sta tion to station on said machine; a weighing; scale, means-at one of said stationsior operatively connecting said carrier with said scale to determine the: weight of the bag supported thereby, a conveyor-for supplying material to a hag while the carrier therefor is opera-tivel'y connected with said scale, a drive for said conveyor, a part movable into and out of a position to stop said conveyor, mechanism controlled by said scale for moving said part into position to stop said conveyor when the bag and contents connected with said scale have attained the desired weight, means actuated by the movement of said part into conveyor stopping position for actuating, said carrier advancing mechanism, and means at a succeeding station for releasing said bag from said carrier for removal of the bag from the machine.

4. A bag filling machine including a plurality of carriers each having a lower portion shaped to fit into the open upper end of a bag and an upper funnel-shaped portion for guiding material into said lower portion for passage into a bag, means for releasably securing the upper ends of open bags to said lower portions of said carriers, a rotatable turret in which said carriers are mounted and which is rotatable for advancing said carriers intermittently to different stations of said machine, mechanism on one of said stations for depositing in a bag at that station a volume of material not exceeding in weight that ultimately desired, a weighing scale having a part cooperating with said carriers when positioned at a succeeding station to transmit the weight of the bag and contents to said scale for actuating the same, means for supplying additional material in small increments to a bag at a succeeding station, means actuated by said scale to stop the feed of additional material to a bag at said succeeding station when a bag at such succeeding station has attained the desired weight, and means at another station for releasing said bag from its carrier for discharge from the machine.

5. A bag filling machine according to claim 4, in which said carriers for said bags are mounted for limited up and down movement on said turrot and are each provided with a funnel at one portion thereof, means for attaching the bags to the lower ends of said funnels to receive material from said funnels, and means on other portions 3 of said carriers when in said succeeding station to transmit the weight of said containers to said scale part.

6. A container filling machine having a plurality of carriers for the containers, a turret in which said carriers are mounted, means for intermittently applying rotary motion to said turret to move said carriers to different stations, each of said carriers including a funnel-shaped part to receive material, mechanism at one of said stations for securing a container to a carrier, said mechanism including spring means for suspending containers with the lower portion of the funnel extending into the same, clamps for engaging said containers while supported by said spring means prior to the advancing of the containers into position to receive the material, mechanism at the next station for depositing into a container a volume of material not exceeding in weight that finally desired in the containers, mechanism at a succeeding station for supplying material in small increments to said container, a scale at said succeeding station responsive to changes in weight of a container while at said succeeding station, means controlled by said scale for stopping the feed of material to said container at said succeed ing station and for causing said turret to ad- Vance said carriers, and means at another station for releasing said containers from said carriers.

7. A bag filling machine including a plurality of carriers, means for releasably attaching bags to said carriers, mechanism for intermittently advancing said carriers from station to station on said machine, means at one of said stations for depositing into a bag a quantity of material of less weight than that desired, a weighing scale at a succeeding station, means at said succeeding station for operatively connecting said carrier with said scale to determine the weight of the bag and contents supported thereby, a conveyor for supplying material to said bag while the carrier therefor is operatively connected with said scale, a drive for said conveyor, a part movable into and out of a position to stop said conveyor, mechanism controlled by said scale for moving said part into position to stop said conveyor when the bag connected with said scale has attained the desired weight, means actuated by the move ment of said part into conveyor stopping position for actuating said carrier advancing mechanism, means actuated by the movement of said carrier advancing mechanism to move said part out of its position to stop said conveyor, and means at a succeeding station for releasing said bag from said carrier for removal of the bag from the machine.

HOWARD G. ALLEN. HARRY A. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 720,008 Doble Feb. 10, 1903 1,410,958 Reynolds Mar. 28, 1922 1,713,575 Warwick May 21, 1929 2,060,645 Suppiger et al Nov. 10, 1936 2,100,874 Ryan Nov. 30, 1937 2,254,384 Nowak Sept. 2, 19 11 2,259,777 Politsch et al Oct. 21, 1941 2,280,614 Ayars Apr. 21, 1942 2,317,865 Talbot Apr. 27, 1943 2,464,545 Ahlburg Mar. 15, 1949 

